The children’s exposure to gadgets and their
eventual addiction to digital platforms are what Hocson and the school try to
alleviate. He clarifies, though, that the devices are not confiscated. The
mobile phones remain at the possession of the students, for emergency measures.

“Out of their respect for authorities, we haven’t
received any rebellious response so far. They’re disciplined enough to follow
instructions. Some would also report to us if a classmate or a schoolmate plays
mobile games in secret. Any violation comes with a counselling session,” says
Hocson.

He adds that other disciplinary actions include
cleaning of a certain area in school, or finishing the students’ remaining academic
work, if any.

Children’s way out of the virtual world

According to the Department of Health, children aged five to 12 years
old should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activities every day which
can be in the form of active daily tasks like doing household and/or school
chores; exercise through dance and/or sports; and high impact active play of
physical games suitable for kids.

In Doane Baptist School, students have learned how to spend their vacant time away from their gadgets. Some would go to the library to study, while some would play board games like chess, sports like basketball, and traditional Pinoy larong-kalye like piko, Chinese garter, and langit-lupa, among others.

Students learn how to play traditional Pinoy games like piko. | Photo by Joshua Caleb Hocson.

Students also take notice of mental games like chess. | Photo by Joshua Caleb Hocson.

Students begin engaging more with each other through interpersonal interactions. | Photo by Joshua Caleb Hocson.

Students start to appreciate other games that are played out of the mobile device. | Photo by Joshua Caleb Hocson.

Students are subject to disciplinary actions like attending to cleanliness drive efforts. | Photo by Joshua Caleb Hocson.

Hocson confirms that due to the students’ new-found
interest in activities that are played out of the gadget screens, the children
have developed better interpersonal skills and improved their academic
performance.

“These
kids spend eight hours a day, five times a week at school. What the school
trains them for is a big factor on who they will be in the future. We want them
to be relevant in the society someday,” Hocson ends.

Kevin is a content producer for Manila Bulletin Digital Lifestyle. On and off his work assignment—usually on commute—he makes sure to read a book, watch a film, and/or get updates on world news. He earned his Communication degree from Adamson University; now confused on whether to pursue Law or permanently live on top of a mountain.